How do Buteyko Breathing Techniques Treat Asthma? The average individual breaths
between four and six liters of air per minute. The average
asthmatic breaths twelve liters of air per minute. Asthmatic breaths
are considered to be in the state of hyperventilation. "The theoretical
foundation of the Buteyko Breathing Technique is that hyperventilation
causes a depletion of carbon dioxide; low levels of carbon dioxide
in the organism cause blood vessels to spasm and also cause oxygen starvation
of the tissues (an asthma attack)(http:www.buteyko.co.nz).
The method is founded an assumption that asthma is exclusively caused by
chronic hyperventilation and subsequent low aveolar carbon dioxide levels,
which are said to destabilise the airways. In theory, buteyko gives
the body plenty of carbon dioxide and does not allow for an asthmatic reaction.
(http://www.buteyko.co.nz and
http://www.wt.com.au/~pkolb/buteyko.htm).

Psychology Department

The Health Psychology Home Page is produced and maintained by David Schlundt, PhD.